Not really PAIF related: Make ahead meals

xtina78

Hey everyone, I'm trying find some make-ahead (and freeze-able if possible) recipes. Anybody have any favorites? 

I really love this one despite all the chopping required:

Annie's eats chicken chili 

And I'm thinking of trying:

Pioneer Woman Lasagne

katekat8721

I love make ahead meals! I'm trying to get a good list together for when after babies are here.

These are my go-to's (sorry no recipes, I just wing them!)
- Chili
- Lasagna
- Chicken Noodle Soup
- Chicken Tortilla Soup
- Breakfast burritos
- Chicken enchiladas
- Baked ziti

For the soups you just hold off on adding the cream based items till you're putting it together.

imoverit

Pinterest has a ton of recipes that have been great.

herecomesthesun

I made Sunday gravy (slow-cooked meat sauce) and froze a bunch of it. Right now while I'm tired, we've been digging into it for a quick and easy dinner. I'm definitely doing it again. It's so good and so easy.

I also made chili and froze some

I've froze some crock pot chicken recipes in the past. Most of them were tasty and easy. This is the website I got a majority of them off of:  https://www.dollopsofdiane.com/2013/04/crock-pot-freezer-recipes-chicken.html?m=0

marnief

Do you have a crockpot?  If so, that's your new best friend!  Google "dump recipes" or "dump crockpot recipes."  Generally you dump a pound or 2 of chicken/beef in a freezer ziploc, add chopped veggies and sauce, and freeze it.  Thaw it the night before, then dump it in the crockpot in the morning (or a baking dish an hour before dinner) and bake it.

Also google "OAMC" (once a month cooking) - there are several sites out there with lots of good tips, recipes, even shopping/planning lists.

Quiche and lasagna are great for make ahead.  I made "unstuffed peppers" - a casserole of bell peppers, ground beef/turkey, etc. - and that worked out pretty well.  An easy way to start is if you're cooking dinner, making twice as much and freeze the second half.  Good luck!

BzeetyD

I made some pizza dough and will bake up a bunch of calzones for us this week to freeze for after the baby comes. I got all the inside ingredients and it is super easy.

Also hoping to do some make ahead muffins and bars for when people come to visit.

krdesi

Soups and pasta sauces are perfect for freezing. I know pinterest has a bunch of ideas for freezer meals!

auntjessy

I don't know how this ISN'T related, LOL.  It's totally related.  I haven't felt much like cooking lately, so I hope that improves.  I have made this awesome recipe from Pioneer Woman that I got from my mom (who normally can't cook).  It is muy delicioso.  

https://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2010/02/drip-beef-two-ways/

It's the one with the pepperoncinis.  My mom puts in her dutch oven I got her for Christmas and pops it in the oven, I use a crock pot.  Either way, I can't tell you how good this is.  

I also love to make white chicken chili ahead.  I usually make a gigantic (really) pot of it, then pull out the pressure cooker and can at least 10 large jars of it.  Then, when I want some, I just add a bit of water and boil it for 10 minutes, add some sour cream and cheese - Voila!  Come to think of it, I should make some before these babies come.  Thanks for the ideas!~~

xtina78

Thanks for the ideas everyone! Also I did make Pioneer Woman's lasagna and it was great and pretty easy.

drjwj

I love www.onceamonthmeals.com.  They are broken down by month and also if you want traditional, vs diet or paleo or vegetarian.  Most of them have been pretty good so far!  Pinterest has a ton too.